Wildlife Review 2025: Butterflies

A mixed year with some highs and lows. After a blank year in 2024 there was a welcome return of Ringlet and Brimstone. The latter was observed as a caterpillar for the first time. In contrast there were no sightings of Small Tortoiseshell, a decline has been noted, with few in recent years, however this appears to be the first blank year. Brown Argus numbers seem particularly hit by recent dry conditions affecting breeding. A moderate to low year for migrant species with fewer Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Clouded Yellow.

Small Skipper 

A typical showing for recent years, reported on twenty-one days between 5th June and 21st July, seen in low single numbers in favoured grass meadows.

Small Skipper 11th June - Dave Jewell

Large Skipper

A mid-summer species reported on just five dates in June in one or twos, with no July sightings this year.

Large Skipper 10th June - Alan Keatley

Brimstone 

Three spring sightings between 30th April and 16th May with a caterpillar on the 31st May on the Warren's only Alder Buckthorn bush. the first confirmed breeding for the Recording Area.

Brimstone 31st May - Kevin Rylands

Clouded Yellow 

A better year, but no substantial numbers. Recorded on seven dates between 12th August to 29th September compared with just two dates in 2024.  Maximum count was five on 19th September.

Clouded Yellow 20th August - Lee Collins

Orange-tip

A regular spring breeder coinciding with the flowering of it's foodplant, Cuckoo-flower. Present between 4th April and 17th May; a typical showing with a maximum of six on 1st and 10th May.

Orange-tip 24th April - Alan Keatley

Large White

By far the most prominent species in late summer with large numbers recorded in August and September with a maximum 85+ on 1st September, a combination of local breeders and migrants. Recorded on 46 dates between 30th April and 29th September compared with 23 in 2024.

Small White

Noted in smaller numbers than Large White, albeit in a more protracted season with sightings between  4th April and 9th October with maximum of 25 on 1st September. 

Green-veined White

Noted across two generations with ten spring sightings and six summer sightings. The first recorded on 21st April and the last on 4th August. A typical year, noted in low single numbers.

Painted Lady

A spread of records on 24 days between 4th May and 7th October, compared with sixteen in 2024. No discernible influx with one for two recorded on most days with maximum of six on 5th September. 

Painted Lady 8th September - Jim Summers

Red Admiral 

Similar to Painted Lady with no discernible influx with no more than six seen on any day. Unusually there were no winter / early spring record with the first sighting on 1st May. In total recorded on 52 days with the last on 18th November, compared with 57 in 2024.

Red Admiral 22nd September - Alan Keatley

Peacock 

Not surprisingly the first butterfly of the year with one on 22nd February. Recorded on 40 days until a late sighting on 18th November. Compared with 33 days in 2024 and 41 days in 2023.  Both spring and summer generations were represented with the maximum on six on 31st March. Normally found on or close to its nettle foodplant.

Comma 

A two generation species with fifteen sightings this year; five in the spring and ten in the summer. Reported in singles, apart from three on 12th July. A good year compared with ten in 2024 and just five in 2023. First alongside a Peacock on 22nd February with the final sighting on 7th September. 

Comma 6th July - Kevin Rylands

Speckled Wood

With its long flight period, the most frequently recorded species with 87 day sightings between  29th March and 28th October; up from 71 last year and 65 in 2023. Found in all woodland areas, displaying territorial behaviour seeing off rivals and other butterfly species. Peak number was 20 on 15th September.

Marbled White

A summer species with a short flight season. A comparatively good year with seven sightings between 10th and 30th June, although may only involve two or three individuals. A better year compared with three sightings in 2024 and just one in 2023.

Marbled White 30th June - Alan Keatley

Gatekeeper 

Another species with a short summer flight period, although in much greater numbers with reports on 30 days between 19th June and 25th August - a typical showing. Found throughout the Recording Area a minimum of 40 recorded on 11th July. 

Gatekeeper 5th July - Kevin Rylands

Meadow Brown

Found in all grass meadows with 56 day sightings between 22nd May and 29th September. An average year with twenty or more recorded on some days.

Ringlet 

After a blank year in 2024 just one record this year on 21st July, always scarce on site with no more than two or three sightings in an average year, since first recorded in 2008.

Ringlet 21st July - Alan Keatley

Wall Brown 

Six day sightings this year, down from ten in 2024. A three generation butterfly but only recorded in spring and autumn with two in May and six in September. Except for two on 13th September, seen in singles, usually found in the more open grassland areas.

Wall Brown 4th September - Luke Harman

Brown Argus 

A very disappointing year with only three confirmed sightings; two on 14th May and singles on 1st June and 16th July, compared with thirteen in 2024 and nineteen in 2023. A grassland species preferring low vegetated ground, dry breeding seasons impacted on numbers.

Small Copper 

After a disappointing 2024, back to a typical year with 52 day sightings. A two generation butterfly there was only a two week gap between generations in June. The first sighting of the year was on 7th April and the last on 4th October.

Small Copper 17th August - Jim Summers

Common Blue

Another two generation species with just a short gap in sightings in July. Recorded on fifty days, an improvement on 2024 (41). Maximum count was twenty on 17th July.

Common Blue 1st September - Alan Keatley

Holly Blue 

Just one record this year on 2nd May; disappointing after a good total of ten last year. Normally found around Holly or Ivy, hopefully this year is just a blip.